Episode 2 - Christopher Shawn Shaw - Lights, Camera, Kaizen!

Lights, Camera, Continuous Improvement: Lessons from the Director's Chair | Christopher Shawn Shaw On this episode of The Standard Work Podcast, I sit down with Christopher Shawn Shaw, a multi-award-winning filmmaker and a creative consultant/coach for entertainment artists, screenwriters, and creatively-minded business owners who need clarity, strategy, and visibility to take their next steps. He helmed the hit satirical comedy feature film Church People as well as the acclaimed musical comedy short Lifeless: A Musical Zomedy. If you are a creator or entrepreneur feeling stuck or needing more eyes on your work, connect with Christopher on social media at @directorCSS. We break down the processes, habits, and systems behind making a film, and how they line up with the principles of continuous improvement. In this episode, we talk about: The "seven hats" lesson: How Christopher went from writer, lead actor, director, producer, camera operator, and craft services on his first 168 Film Project to wearing just two hats on his second, and why knowing your strengths and delegating the rest made all the difference. Pre-production as preparation: Tech scouts, storyboarding, and protecting the limited, high-value time when cameras are actually rolling. Knowing when a scene is done: Video Village, multiple takes, safety takes, "play" takes, and checking in with the actors, DP, and sound before moving on. The script supervisor's system: How continuity is tracked through shorthand notes that hand the director's intent off to the editor. Building a team culture: Asking actors how they like to be directed, and inviting the crew to speak up when there's a better or faster way Storytelling fundamentals: Conflict, story loops, subtext, "show, don't tell," and why we all love an underdog. You are your biggest obstacle: Everyone has a camera in their pocket. Practice, use deadlines to finish ideas, and build your network. Whether you're on a shop floor or a film set, the lesson holds: great results come from great teams, solid processes, and the willingness to keep improving. Connect with Christopher: Social: @DirectorCSS Website: www.christophershawnshaw.com Watch Church People on Prime Video, Tubi, UP Faith & Family, and Roku (search "Church People Movie") The Standard is NEVER Finished.